Thilakan played devil and saint with aplomb

Late Malayalam actor Thilakan’s adventures as a film actor had provided spectacular moments both on and off screen that, taken together, they might seem like a colourful collection of fantastic folk tales: 'The Devil and the Grey-Haired Saint,' 'The Olfactory Illusion', 'The Old Man With an Eternal Smirk', 'The Man Who Dared Death', and umpteen other stories.

The legendary Padmarajan, while casting Thilakan as the lecherous step-father in Namukku Paarkkan Munthirithoppukal, gave him a small but daunting brief.

“Pailokkaran (the character) has to be so disgusting that women should feel like vomiting at the sight of him.” After watching Thilakan perform, Padmarajan is said to have commented: “This man looks infinitely more evil than anything my wildest imagination could concoct.”

A year later, when Padmarajan wanted a pure-hearted old man for Moonnampakkam, it was this evil incarnate that he chose.

Film actors normally work only two senses in the viewer: sight and hearing. Thilakan, it seemed, could animate a third: smell. It was Padmarajan who had noted it first.

“Thilakan had a rich masculine smell around him, his perfume and cigarettes did the trick, during the shoot ofNamukku Paarkkan…. But when I watched the film he exuded an intolerable stink,” Padmarajan had said. “And every time I saw him in Moonnampakkam, I could vividly smell fresh coconut oil.”

In his last film Ustad Hotel, Karimikka (Thilakan's character) shares the secret of his ethereal suleimani (black tea) with his grandson: “Every suleimani should have a bit of mohabbat in it.” No one, not even Padmarajan, had ever asked Thilakan the secret of this olfactory illusion.

Thilakan, in his latter years, turned into an intractable rebel. His rantings became so frequent that you could almost see him smirk with pleasure when he rubbished the superstars.

Defying death was his other big pastime, both literally and metaphorically. Two of his finest roles (Indian Rupee and Ustad Hotel) happened in the last two years of his life, after poor health and controversies had written his epitaph. Since the early 2000s, his body had been scorched by strokes and other ailments. His frail body propped up by a mere crutch and a gargantuan will.

And finally when death came, it had to sweat. It took two strokes, pneumonia, kidney failure, a cardiac arrest, two massive heart attacks and, when it all seemed inadequate, another vicious bout of pneumonia and yet another heart attack to overpower a frail old man.

Thilakan loved his image of Yamaraj

The pictures of some of Thilakan’s favourite actors – Stanislaviski, Toshiro Mifune, Raj Kapoor, Sivaji Ganeshan – are hung in the study room of his daughter’s home. But the largest one and the one placed highest, near the ceiling, is a photograph of himself as ‘Yamaraj,’ the God of Death, from the film Pappan Priyapetta Pappan.

“Right from my childhood I had pictured myself as the slayer of injustice. That’s why I love this Yamaraj photograph,” Thilakan had once said. Thilakan seemed as proud of this self-created image of vigilante as he was about acting.

The rebel in him was spurred by the deep belief he had in his immense talent. When AMMA passed strictures against him, he turned his back on cinema and went back to theatre and television serials. And he did not go quietly.

He branded Mammootty mediocre. He said Mohanlal was insecure in his presence. He branded Dileep as poison. Even while he was hurling these insults, Malayalam industry rolled the red carpet to welcome him back.

Some of his friends from his theatre days say that Thilakan was an imperious talent. “He never accepted authority. So he kept changing troupes. Even P.J. Antony couldn’t control him,” a former friend said.

According to Thilakan, it was his father who sowed the seeds of rebellion in him. “He was very strict and never allowed me any freedom,” he had said.

Tamil filmgoers loved this ‘villain’

Apart from his iconic status in Malayalam film world, the late Thilakan was equally popular in Tamil though he may have done less than a dozen films in K’town. The legendary actor’s powerful role of Annachi, the cool, yet ruthless villain, in Vijayakanth’s 1990 film Chathriyan was critically acclaimed. Thilakan’s dialogue delivery with the Malayalam accent was an instant hit then.

The actor had strong opinions about national awards. After a long gap Thilakan attended the press gathering of his Tamil film Alibaba in Chennai. Around the same time, Padma awards were announced and the actor was awarded the Padma Shri.

Though he felt happy about it, the veteran actor reacted strongly about national awards, saying, “An actor is an actor! There should be only one award for Best Actor. They should not be differentiated like Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in national category.”

When asked why he was not seen often in Tamil cinema, he said, “I always look for challenging roles. The character should excite me even as the director narrates the script. As and when I come across such roles, I never let go of them.”

Some of the other popular Tamil films of the actor include Mettukudi, Nee Venumda Chellam, Karuppu Vellai, Suyechai MLA and Uyirin Yedai 21 gram.

കുത്തകകളുടെ വരവിനെതിരെ കമല്‍ഹാസന്റെ കവിത

ബഹുരാഷ്ട്രകുത്തകകള്‍ക്ക് രാജ്യാതിര്‍ത്തി തുറന്നുകൊടുത്ത മന്‍മോഹന്‍സിങ് സര്‍ക്കാരിന്റെ ധാര്‍ഷ്ട്യത്തിനെതിരെ വിഖ്യാത ചലച്ചിത്രകാരന്‍ കമല്‍ഹാസന്‍. വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട് ഉള്‍പ്പെടെയുള്ള കുത്തകകള്‍ നമ്മുടെ ഗ്രാമനഗരങ്ങളുടെ അസ്തിത്വംപോലും ഇല്ലാതാക്കുമെന്ന്് "ഉള്ളിലെ തീ" എന്ന തന്റെ കവിതയിലൂടെ കമല്‍ പറയുന്നു. ഫെയ്സ്ബുക്കിലാണ് കമല്‍ കവിത എഴുതിയത്.


ജന്മദേശമായ പരമക്കുടിയിലെ വറ്റിവരണ്ടുപോയ ആറ്റിന്‍തീരത്ത് കമിഴ്ന്നുകിടന്ന് അവസാനതുള്ളി ജലം സ്വപ്നം കാണുന്ന കവി, കുത്തകകളെ വരവേല്‍ക്കുന്നത് നമ്മുടെ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിന്റെയും സംസ്കാരത്തിന്റെയും ചരമക്കുറിപ്പ് എഴുതലാകുമെന്ന് പറയുന്നു. ""വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട് എന്ന അമേരിക്കന്‍ മള്‍ട്ടി റീട്ടെയില്‍ കുത്തക പാവം ഗ്രാമീണരെയും തങ്ങളുടെ ഉപയോക്താക്കളാക്കും. അവരറിയാതെ അവരുടെ കഴുത്തില്‍ കൈ വച്ചു തള്ളി തങ്ങളുടെ പണപ്പെട്ടിയില്‍ കാശ് ഇടീക്കും. പനനൊങ്ക് കുടിക്കുന്ന എന്നെപ്പോലുള്ള പഴയ ആളുകള്‍ക്ക് കുപ്പിയില്‍ പനനൊങ്ക് വില്‍ക്കും ഈ വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട്, ഒന്നും പറയാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല""- കമല്‍ കുറിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. ""നെല്ലും കപ്പയും എന്തെന്നുപോലും അറിയാത്ത ഇന്ത്യയിലെ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങള്‍ പിസ്സായാണ് നമ്മുടെ പാരമ്പര്യഭക്ഷണം എന്നുകരുതുന്""-ഭാവികാലത്തെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ആശങ്കകളും അദ്ദേഹം പങ്കിടുന്നു.""നാം ലോകത്തിന്റെ അച്ചാണിയാണെന്ന് തെറ്റിദ്ധരിക്കരുതെന്"" മുന്നറിയിപ്പോടെയാണ് അദ്ദേഹം കവിത അവസാനിപ്പിച്ചത്.


വാലില്‍ തീ

കമല്‍ഹാസന്‍

ഒരു കടുത്ത വേനല്‍ക്കാല സായാഹ്നത്തില്‍ നദീതീരത്തില്‍ പണ്ടാരോ കുഴിച്ചുവച്ചിരുന്ന ഊറ്റുകുഴിയില്‍ നോക്കി ഞാന്‍ നില്‍ക്കുകയാണ്. കമിഴ്ന്ന് കിടന്ന് ആ കുഴിയില്‍നിന്ന് ദാഹത്തോടെ അഞ്ച് കൈ മണ്ണ് ഞാന്‍ കോരിയെടുക്കുന്നു.മൂന്നാമത്തെ കോരലില്‍ത്തന്നെ എന്റെ പുറംകൈയില്‍ ഒരു ചെറുനവ്! ആറ്, ഏഴ്, എട്ട്..വെള്ളം എത്തിനോക്കുന്നു.
ദാഹിച്ചുവരണ്ട എന്റെ മുഖത്തെ പ്രതിബിംബിപ്പിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് എന്റെ ദാഹം ശമിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. മൂക്കിന്‍തുമ്പത്തൊട്ടിപ്പിടിച്ച നനഞ്ഞ മണലിനെയും വസ്ത്രത്തില്‍ ഒട്ടിയ ഉണങ്ങിയ മണലിനെയും തട്ടിയെറിഞ്ഞ് ഞാന്‍ എഴുന്നേല്‍ക്കുന്നു. സ്വപ്നം മുറിഞ്ഞു; എല്ലാം സ്വപ്നമായിരുന്നു. ഒരു പരമക്കുടിക്കാരനായ എന്റെ അറിവില്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഇങ്ങനെ ഒരു സംഭവം നടക്കാന്‍ യാതൊരു സാധ്യതയുമില്ല. പരമക്കുടി കടന്ന് പോകുന്ന ആറ്റിന്‍തീരത്തിനു തിരശ്ശീല വീണിട്ട് മാമാങ്കങ്ങള്‍ പലത് കഴിഞ്ഞു. സമീപത്തുണ്ടായിരുന്ന വീടുകള്‍ പലതും കള്ളന്മാരെപ്പോലെ തങ്ങളുടെ കളം വിട്ടിറങ്ങി നദീതീരത്ത് വന്ന് പുതിയ രൂപത്തില്‍ തങ്ങളുടെ വിസര്‍ജ്യങ്ങള്‍ കലക്കാന്‍ തുടങ്ങിയിട്ടുതന്നെ ഒന്ന് രണ്ട് മാമാങ്കങ്ങളായി. പന്നികളെപ്പോലെ മനുഷ്യരായ നാമും സര്‍വാഹാരികള്‍ ആയി. വിസര്‍ജ്യങ്ങളും വിഷവസ്തുക്കളും നമ്മുടെ ഭക്ഷണമാക്കിക്കൊണ്ട് പ്രകൃതി നമുക്കായി ഒരുക്കിയ ഭഭക്ഷണത്തെ നാടുകടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയാണ് നാമിപ്പോള്‍.

ഇപ്പറഞ്ഞതിനും വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട് ഇന്ത്യയില്‍ പ്രവേശിക്കുന്നതിനും എന്ത് ബന്ധം എന്ന് ചോദിച്ചാല്‍ നിറയെ തെളിവുകളോടു കൂടി വാദിക്കാന്‍ കുറെയെറെ ഇന്ത്യക്കാര്‍ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു. തമിഴകത്തിന്റെ വാതില്‍പ്പടി അന്നാട്ടിലെ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി താല്‍ക്കാലികമായി താഴിട്ട് വച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. എന്നെപ്പോലുള്ള ആളുകളുടെ താല്‍ക്കാലികമായ നന്ദി അതിനായി തമിഴക മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിക്കുണ്ട്. ഈ നിര്‍ബന്ധബുദ്ധി അവര്‍ കൈവിടാതിരുന്നാല്‍ ഞങ്ങളുടെ നന്ദി എന്നെന്നും ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കും, അതോടൊപ്പം ഭാവിതലമുറയുടെ മനഃപൂര്‍വമായുള്ള നന്ദിയും. ഈ വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട് എന്ത് ചെയ്യുമെന്നു കരുതിയാണ് നിങ്ങള്‍ ഇത്ര ഭയക്കുന്നത് എന്നു ചോദിച്ചാല്‍ വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട് എന്ന അമേരിക്കന്‍ മള്‍ട്ടി റീട്ടെയില്‍ കുത്തക പാവം ഗ്രാമീണരെയും തങ്ങളുടെ ഉപഭോക്താക്കളാക്കും. അവരറിയാതെ അവരുടെ കഴുത്തില്‍ കൈ വച്ച് തള്ളി തങ്ങളുടെ പണപ്പെട്ടിയില്‍ കാശിടീക്കും. പനനൊങ്ക് കുടിക്കുന്ന എന്നെപ്പോലുള്ള പഴയ ആളുകള്‍ക്ക് കുപ്പിയില്‍ പനനൊങ്ക് വില്‍ക്കും ഈ വാള്‍മാര്‍ട്ട്, ഒന്നും പറയാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല. മീനിനെ വാലും പാമ്പിനെ തലയും കാട്ടി മയക്കുന്ന തന്ത്രം വശമുള്ള ഇത്തരം അമേരിക്കന്‍ വ്യാപാരക്കുത്തകകള്‍ ഗ്രാമോദ്യോഗ് ഭവന്റെ ഗാന്ധിസൂക്തങ്ങളെയും അനുമതി കൂടാതെ അപഹരിക്കും. നെല്ലും കപ്പയും എന്തെന്നുപോലും അറിയാത്ത ഇന്ത്യയിലെ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങള്‍ പിസ്സായാണ് നമ്മുടെ പാരമ്പര്യ ഭക്ഷണം എന്നു കരുതും. കരുതിക്കൊള്ളട്ടെ, ഇതിലെന്ത് നഷ്ടം എന്നു ചിലര്‍ ചോദിക്കാം.

ആലോചിച്ച് നോക്കുകയാണെങ്കില്‍ ഒരു നഷ്ടവും ഇല്ല. കമ്യൂണിസമോ ജനാധിപത്യമോ മരിച്ചാലും നെല്ലും കപ്പയും ജീവനോടെ ഇരിക്കും. റോമാ സാമ്രാജ്യം ഉണ്ടാകുന്നതിന് പതിനായിരം കൊല്ലങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് മുന്‍പ്, മഹാവീരനും മുന്‍പേ നടന്ന തീര്‍ഥങ്കരര്‍ക്കും പതിനായിരം കൊല്ലങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് മുന്‍പേ ഈ നാട്ടിനെ പച്ച പുതപ്പിച്ച മണ്ണും മരവും മരിക്കില്ല. മനുഷ്യരെല്ലാം നശിച്ച് മണ്ണടിഞ്ഞ് ചില നൂറ് വര്‍ഷങ്ങളില്‍ മരങ്ങളെല്ലാം ഉയര്‍ത്തെണീറ്റ് കാടാകും. ആറ്റിന്‍തീരത്തെ ഇന്നത്തെ വീടെല്ലാം മണ്ണോടടിഞ്ഞ് പുതിയ കാടുപിടിച്ച നദീതീരമാകും. ഇതൊക്കെ മുന്‍പ് വീടുകളും മനുഷ്യരും നിറഞ്ഞിരുന്ന ഇടമാണെന്ന് ഓര്‍ക്കാന്‍പോലും ഒരു ജീവന്‍കൂടി ഉണ്ടാവില്ല. നാം നശിക്കും, പക്ഷേ ലോകം നശിക്കില്ല.

നാം ലോകത്തിന്റെ അച്ചാണിയല്ല.

കമലും ആ ചക്രത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രപുസ്തകത്തിലെ ഒരു ചെറിയ വാക്യത്തിന്റെ അവസാനം വരുന്ന ഒരു ചെറിയ ബിന്ദുമാത്രം.

(മൊഴിമാറ്റം-ആര്‍ ബി രാധിക)

deshabhimani 240912

ACID RAIN

       Acid rain describes sulfuric and nitric acids deposited from the atmosphere. Often associated with precipitation, the term also applies to dry acidic materials. These acids commonly result from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides reacting with moisture and other substances in the atmosphere. Although there are natural sources for these chemicals, much attention has been given to man-made sources, such as coal power plants. Acid rain is problematic due to acidification of soil, rivers, and lakes beyond the tolerance range of plants and animals. Acid rain can also erode man-made structures. 

Acidifying Waters

Water resists rapid changes to pH --- a measure of the acidity of a substance with lower numbers indicating stronger acidity. However, even this resistance is overcome by prolonged and persistent exposure to acid rain. Ecosystems within lakes and rivers may be vulnerable to acidification of the water in surprising ways. For example, mayflies die off at a pH of 5.5, while trout and perch can survive in much more acidic water. However, with the decline of mayflies and other insects, trout may have insufficient food to support their population. At pH 5 many fish eggs fail to hatch and juvenile fish tend to be more susceptible to acidity, impairing the fish population's continued health. 

Forests

Direct contact with acid rain can weaken trees and destroy their leaves. This is especially true in high altitude forests where the trees are frequently immersed in an acid cloud. Acid rain can also harm trees in a more subtle fashion by reducing nutrient levels and increasing the level of toxic substances in the soil. The buffering capacity of soil varies greatly between different soil types, resulting in greater damage to forests in some areas than others, even though the acid rain exposure may be similar. 

Cars

Many people take great pride in maintaining the appearance of their vehicle, but acid rain can literally erode the vehicle's protective coating. To counter these effects, automobile manufacturer's have begun coating new vehicles with acid-resistant paints.

Buildings

Limestone and marble construction materials are especially damaged by acid rain. This is due to the calcite mineral content in these materials that is easily dissolved away. This damage is readily seen in older stone buildings and monuments where carvings placed in the stone have eroded. Not all stone is susceptible. Granite and sandstone have a chemical composition that does not react with acid rain, though some types of sandstone contain carbonate, which will react. 

Human Health

Physical contact with acid rain, either as droplets falling from the sky or from swimming in an acidic lake, has little direct impact on the health of humans. However, the pollutants responsible for the formation of acid rain are associated with an increase in respiratory disease and other illnesses. These pollutants may even infiltrate indoor spaces causing problems ranging from asthma to premature death. Laws such as the Clean Air Act strive to reduce the amount of pollution in the air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that between 1980 and 2009, the national average for sulfur dioxide in the air decreased by 76 percent, and nitrogen dioxide decreased by 48 percent. 

Keynote Address by Sh. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, at the Inaugural Session of Emerging Kerala 2012 - Global Connect.

     Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singhji, His Excellency the Governor of Kerala Dr. H. R. Bhardwaj, Union Ministers, my Cabinet Colleagues, Diplomats, Business Leaders, Media, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

         

        On behalf of the people and Government of Kerala, I extend a very warm welcome to each one of you to this transformational occasion in Kerala’s evolution - Emerging Kerala 2012.

         

        Our state is known for its egalitarian society, its communal harmony, law and order, friendly people and abundant scenic beauty giving us the widely acclaimed name ‘God’s Own Country’.  We are rightly proud of our achievements in the fields of literacy, health and human development indices on par with the developed world.

         

        Located at the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent, Kerala is one of the fast growing centres of economic activities in India. The proximity to international air and sea routes makes Kerala accessible from all parts of the world. We have a good network of roads, three international airports with two more under development, number of sea ports including India’s first International Container Transshipment Terminal and excellent data and telecom connectivity throughout the state.

         

        While having such facilities, we recognize that such facilities alone will not bring investment and investors. Unlike in the past, we also recognize our weaknesses and limitations in areas where we are yet to realize our full potential.

         

The Government of Kerala has a clear development agenda. Our commitment to the people of Kerala is Development and Care. Our objective is to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We want each and every individual in Kerala to participate in the development process. We want projects which are people oriented; projects which create employment opportunities in the State; and projects which are environment friendly.

         

        Based on our vision of Development and Care, we are focusing on certain core sectors for the sustainable development of the State. A large number of project proposals proposed by the Government of Kerala and by several amongst you are going to be discussed in this forum. I assure you that the Government would support, handhold and provide speedy clearances to all such proposals that are people friendly, environment friendly, which contribute to Kerala’s growth and complies with the law of the land. We would do so in the most transparent and timely manner, without taking any short-cuts on any of the critical issues such as environment, law and / or the quality of human life in Kerala.

         

        Emerging Kerala is not a one-off event. It is part of a process for creating a climate for investment. This is part of the approach of the nation and the State to the 12th Plan.  We are conscious of the fact that we have to work hard over a period of many years to attract and sustain investment. Our objective is to present to the world about the quality and quantity of business opportunities available in Kerala for investment and the mechanisms and processes that are in place to convert these opportunities into reality. Emerging Kerala is all about deepening and intensifying the already deep global and national connect of Kerala. This is an expression of the collective will of our people to scale greater heights beyond the successes in achieving social goals.

        I take this opportunity to thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhji for the approval of Union Cabinet for the prestigious Kochi Metro Rail Project. This would not have been possible but for the decisive role played by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. I note with pride that Kochi is the only non-metro city in the country where such metro rail is going to be built with equity participation by the Government of India. We remember with gratitude to Government of India for having sanctioned India’s first International Container Trans-shipment Terminal in Kochi and the recent decision by the Union Cabinet to exempt this terminal from constraining Cabotage regulations in our Country. Thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister.

         

We, in our families, have invested heavily in our younger generations since they are our most precious resource. They need opportunities right here in Kerala and right now. We do not have any more time to wait. We realize that words or ideology alone will not get us either Investors or Investment. It is no longer a time for vain words but for bold constructive act. 12^th September, 2012, today, is truly a day of history in making for Kerala. It is a new beginning where the People and Government of Kerala are communicating to the whole world of the opportunities in Kerala – We are telling the world at large that we warmly welcome investors.  

I believe that for Kerala to emerge as a strong and vibrant economy, we have to emerge from within and empower our talented youngsters to be job creators and not job seekers. It requires a paradigm shift in our society. To facilitate such a shift and encourage entrepreneurship amongst the students in Kerala, we will be putting in place a landmark Student Entrepreneurship Policy in the State where any Student who works to create knowledge, innovation, wealth and jobs in our Society at or through any Government of India recognized Incubators will be given 20% attendance and 4% Grace Marks in the Academic Course he or she attends. We expect this will give the Students time to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation during their studies and unleash the intellectual power of the youngsters towards entrepreneurship.

I wish to stress again that “Emerging Kerala” is not just an investors’ meet. It is a platform for opinion makers and policy providers to sit together and ponder over ways to make Kerala the most desirable, the most happening and the most eco-friendly human habitat on earth. I wish all participants to this event a very useful and fruitful three days of such deliberations. This should mark a beginning of an exercise to build a more industrious, prosperous, equitable, environment friendly and bountiful state of Kerala in an equally prosperous and vibrant India.

Our Government is serious. Our Government will hold firm. Our Government will effect change with transparency. Our Government will reform. Our Government will protect environment and rule of law. Our Government will encourage entrepreneurship amongst the youngsters in Kerala and I assure you that the State Government will extend full support to committed investors who come to Kerala to invest in Kerala within the framework of the law of the land.

Once again, I extend a very warm welcome to all of you to God’s Own Country!

Jai Hind.

State expects major investments in shipyard, food processing sectors

      KOCHI: The investment pattern that is set to emerge from Emerging Kerala is expected to give sectors like food processing, tourism, education & knowledge, precision farming, IT, medical and infrastructure development a strong foothold in the state.

Industries minister P K Kunhalikutty told TOI on the sidelines of the Emerging Kerala Global Business Connect 2012 here on Wednesday that this investment pattern would become possible with the state becoming the hub of overseas remittances (from migrant Keralites apart from foreign direct investments).

Japan's nuclear fight intensifies

        The 1960s were a time of social revolution. Student, civil rights activists and anti-war protesters rose up against governments around the world, and Japan was no exception. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to denounce the security treaty Japan signed with the U.S. in 1960. The rallies, which turned violent at times, were the country's last significant protests -- until now. The recent anti-nuclear protests are gathering momentum, and a society once willing to accept the government line is starting to ask questions of its leaders.

Global Warming

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels.

How Does Today’s Warming Compare to Past Climate Change?

Earth has experienced climate change in the past without help from humanity. But the current climatic warming is occurring much more rapidly than past warming events.

Why Do Scientists Think Current Warming Isn’t Natural?

In Earth’s history before the Industrial Revolution, Earth’s climate changed due to natural causes unrelated to human activity. These natural causes are still in play today, but their influence is too small or they occur too slowly to explain the rapid warming seen in recent decades.

How Much More Will Earth Warm?

Models predict that as the world consumes ever more fossil fuel, greenhouse gas concentrations will continue to rise, and Earth’s average surface temperature will rise with them. Based on plausible emission scenarios, average surface temperatures could rise between 2°C and 6°C by the end of the 21st century. Some of this warming will occur even if future greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, because the Earth system has not yet fully adjusted to environmental changes we have already made.

How Will Earth Respond to Warming Temperatures?

The impact of global warming is far greater than just increasing temperatures. Warming modifies rainfall patterns, amplifies coastal erosion, lengthens the growing season in some regions, melts ice caps and glaciers, and alters the ranges of some infectious diseases. Some of these changes are already occurring.

Corruption in India

    Corruption is today a world-wide phenomenon. In our own country some people in high positions lave been charged for it.

   A corrupt person is termed immoral, dishonest and unscrupulous in his dealings. His disregard for honesty, righteousness and truth results in his alienation from society. He is treated with contempt. But as erosion of values leads to decadence, remedies for the social malaise remain elusive, and so no amount of contempt can eradicate corruption which is a symptom of decadence.

    Corruption is the most virulent when crises everywhere threaten the very existence of the society and the faith in life is shaken. It has always been there like tie leech, but when the system grows weaker and the boat flounders, it gets bolder and drains its victims of the last drops of their blood.

   The older the system the weaker it grows and fails to solve the riddles of life that grows more complex every day. So men lose faith in it and let it drift down. At this point corruption takes over and plunges the entire society. After Second World War the old system with all its values was left in a shambles. The crippling effects of the war, the recession and depression, and uncertainties in a faithless world of maimed and moribund encouraged cynicism in a section of the population.

  This section included the government officials dealing in essential commodities. They found the post-war conditions ideal for fishing in troubled waters and jetting richer. They formed a sort of vicious circle in which moral values and honest intentions no longer held valid. The flourishing black market in essential commodities, adulteration of even baby- food, bribery, fraud and economic, political and administrative manipulations with an eye on earning profits has brought untold misery to the people.

  One would say the corruption in India has an ancient lineage; it is sanctified by tradition. The author of the Arthasastra made some remarks on government officials of his time which are relevant even today: "Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey or the poison that finds itself at the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up at least a bit of the king's revenue. These in the post­war world became only bolder while eating up government money and accepting bribes.

   Today, when India is free, these officials representing all government departments are very close to the most corrupt businessmen who are too unscrupulous to let any opportunity of amassing profits slip. This collusion broadens the base of the vicious circle and corruption spreads 'like wild fire to engulf the entire society. The political and social guardians depend only too much on the richer communities and they look indulgently on while these communities hold the entire society and the government to ransom.

   Corruption starts at the top and percolates down to the whole society. Such corruption cannot be confined to the towns alone. It is as widespread in the villages where the dishonest officials and the traders carry the germs of the disease. The tyranny of confusion and price rules the land and the people are helpless victims of corruption everywhere.

Child Labour

         Can we eliminate child labour? Though it is a desirable goal the fact remains that in the given socio-economic scenario that is prevalent in our country, it is virtually impossible to do away with child labour. One cannot dispute the fact that employers exploit children by paying them much less than what they would pay in adult and the future of the working children is ruined as they will not be able to attend schools and get educated for a better future. But when one considers the economic compulsions of the families which force the children to work, one will be compelled to admit that elimination of child labour will be a distant dream as long as the socio-economic status of these families is not improved. Realizing the harm caused by child labour, the Indian Government made laws to protect children from exploitation at work and to improve their working condition. Besides, a comprehensive law called Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. 1986, was promulgated to prohibit employment of children in certain hazardous occupations and processes. In 1987, the Indian government formulated National Police on Child Labour to protect the interests of children and focus on general development programmes for the benefit of children. As a part of this policy National Child Labour Projects have been set up in different parts of the country to rehabilitate child labour. Under these projects, special schools are established to prove non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition etc. to children who are withdrawn from employment. Though elimination of child labour is an impossible task in the current socio-economic scenario, the Indian government is committed to the task of ensuring that no child remains illiterate, hungry and without medical care. When this ideal will be achieved is a million dollar question. The development countries are exerting pressure on developing countries like India to eliminate child labour. According to the current thinking the developed countries may stop imports of those goods that involve child labour in their production. In some of our cottage industries like making of carpets, children are employed in larger numbers. These carpets, which are being exported, may soon lose their market abroad if the producers of these carpets persist with child labour. Child labour is, no doubt, an evil that should be done away with at the earliest. The prevalence of child labour reflects very badly on society that is not able to stop this evil. But in a society where many households may have to suffer the pangs of hunger if the children are withdrawn from work, beggars can’t be choosers. These families have to send their children to work, even if the future of these innocents is ruined, as that is the only choice open for them to survive in this world. Therefore, unless the socio-economic status of the poor families is improved, India has to live with child labour